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Premier•First•Underage
 
 
 
Shamrock Rovers 1 Derry City 2
Friday, 27 March 2009 08:36

DERRY City produced an incredible late turnaround at Tallaght Stadium to beat Shamrock Rovers and illustrate their title credentials.
 

Despite both sides beginning slowly, Derry defender Clive Delaney had to be on his toes to stop Gary Twigg racing clear from a Dessie Baker through ball after 10 minutes.
 

At the other end Aidan Price was fortunate not to head into his own net minutes later when he intercepted Liam Kearney’s in-swinging cross from the left.
 

While neither side seem to kick on from their respective chances the home side’s strike partnership of Twigg and Baker looked dangerous throughout and they were at the centre of the penalty awarded to Rovers in the 23rd minute.
 

A neat one two between Twigg and Baker on the edge of the box saw the latter brought down by Peter Hutton as he burst into the area and despite sending Doherty in goal the wrong way, midfielder Shane Robinson pulled the spot kick wide.
 

Derry were equally as fortunate when a sensational volley on the turn from Baker on the edge of the box just fizzed by the bottom corner, however their luck seemed to run out at the worst time in the 43rd minute when defender Clive Delaney was dismissed after a second yellow card.
 

Predictably Rovers came straight out of the traps in the second half, with Stephen Bradley threatening straight away from a free kick and they quickly capitalised on their man advantage by grabbing the lead.


Baker showed great speed of mind and feet to step over a low cross from the left, before turning to latch on to Twigg’s touch and fire into the bottom corner from eight yards.
 

Robinson went inches wide soon after as the home side looked to seal the result and it was a glorious chance to do just that which ironically set the tone for the final result.
 

Rovers looked certain to score their second and clinch the three points with just over 15 minutes remaining when a neat passing move between Baker and Robinson put the latter clear through on goal, however he squared the ball and substitute Sean O’Connor fired over.
 

The winger was obviously still dwelling on his missed chance 60 seconds later as he allowed Thomas Stewart to drift in at the back post from Sammy Morrow’s cross and head Derry back on level terms from their first real chance of the game.
 

Despite the home side pushing to regain the lead, Derry stunned them with just six minutes remaining when midfielder Ciaran Martyn ran on to a Barry Molloy cut back and fired his shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
 

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Barry Murphy, Simon Madden, Ian Bermingham (Tadhg Purcell 88), Aidan Price, Sean Webb, Stephen Rice (Sean O’Connor 65), Shane Robinson, Gary Twigg, Ollie Cahill, Stephen Bradley (Greg Cameron 79), Dessie Baker.

Not used: Pat Flynn, Robert Duggan.


DERRY CITY: Gerard Doherty, Clive Delaney, Peter Hutton, Steven Gray, Ruardhi Higgins (Barry Molloy 55), Ciaran Martyn, Thomas Stewart, Liam Kearney (Mark McChrystal 43), Ger O’Brien, Gareth McGlynn, Mark Farron (Sammy Morrow 65).

Not used: Pat Jennings, James Mcclean.


Referee: D Hancock.
 
 
 
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